Another problem with VA: not enough employment counselors

Despite increases in hiring, the Veterans Administration still faces shortages in employment counselors for veterans says the GAO. 'Caseloads have become more complex as veterans' needs become more challenging, reported 90 percent of the VR&E offices. Eighty percent noted that the agency was only somewhat prepared to meet future demands, while 12 percent said the agency was not prepared to meet rising needs.' [Government Executive magazine]

CNN report to say record number of suicides

CNN reports that an upcoming report on veterans and suicides will say that the Army has the 'highest level of suicides among its soldiers since it began tracking the rate 28 years ago, ' [CNN]

Movement on the new GI Bill

A roundup of veteran information. One interesting note is that the Navy is going to oversee the contractor who is handling the new GI Bill software for the benefits that start August 1, 2009. According to the VFW magazine, the VA might have to hire to do 'temporarily double the number of claims processors to manage the manual workload.' [The-News-Leader.com}

Former extreme athlete, wounded veteran still competes fiercely

Entered in the Susitna 100 bike race, Maj. Marc Hoffmeister was at one time a top athlete competing in the  Eco-Challenge in Fiji and USA Supreme Adventure Race in Utah.

After being caught in a roadside bomb in Al Hillah, Iraq, he has daily pain in the head and arm. But he's not asking for sympathy: he knows he's lucky to be alive.

The 1992 West Point graduate will soon compete in the Alaskan bike race. Interview [Anchorage Daily News]

New GAO report finds continuing flaws in VA care

A new report due to be released on Friday from the Government Accountability Office ' highlights the Bush administration's problems in planning for the treatment of veterans that President Barack Obama has pledged to fix. It found the VA's long-term budget plan for the rehabilitation of veterans in nursing homes, hospices and community centers to be flawed, failing to account for tens of thousands of patients and understating costs by millions of dollars.' The draft of the report shows the problems facing the New Veterans Administration Secretary Eric Shinseki.  [Associated Press]

College courting veterans

Albion College, a private liberal arts college, in Michigan wants you and is willing to help veterans  become part of the college by helping with the tuition that isn't covered by the new GI Bill. . [Battle Creek Enquirer]

Obama eyed by some veterans: some positive, some negative

Veterans debate the impact of Barack Obama on their lives and their military history. [Muskogee Phoenix]

U.S. pays in 'wrongful death' suicide case

Cpl. Jeffrey Lucey suffered from PTSD after serving in the Marines in 2003 in Iraq. In 2004 he was discharged by the VA who said he suffered from 'alcoholism and mood swings.' He hanged himself four days later.

The VA has offered a settlement with the family. [Masslive.com]

Shinseki goes in front of Congress

Veterans Affairs' nominee, retired Gen. Eric Shinseki, went in front of Congress today at his confirmation hearing and vowed to clean up and modernize the VA.

"His confirmation is expected to proceed without problems. Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka, a Democrat from Hawaii, hopes to have the nomination to the full Senate floor for a vote after President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in Tuesday." [McClatchy Newspapers]

Talk therapy good for veterans of all ages

Memories of war haunt veterans from World War II up to the current day. The veterans adminstration offers Don Frederick a chance to talk about the Battle of the Bulge where his fellows who died were 'stacked like cordwood' since the ground was too cold to bury them. [Army Times]